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Connection time needed at CDG

I will be flying Air France from PAU airport (southern France) to CDG and then on to a connecting flight to Denver. Air France shows a 90 minute connection time in CDG (all on a single ticket) and I am concerned that won't be enough time to make my flight to Denver. Has anyone else had luck with this quick of a connection to an international flight? Air France does offer a transfer service but at quite a high cost, but perhaps it would be worth it so I can make my flight.

Posted by
1387 posts

The obvious question is whether both flights are on the same ticket or not.

If they are, you are least protected if your inbound flight is delayed and you miss
the connection to Denver. In that case, AF should rebook on next available flight
and provide hotel/meals.

If there are delays getting through immigration at CDG, I would flag someone down
to try and get expedited, but hopefully exiting Schengen is quicker than entry.

If you absolutely have to make that flight, I would research whether AF's service allows
you to have priority at the immigration checkpoint. If not, I am not sure whether it's
worth it. And, if the inbound is delayed by 2 hours, do you get your money back since
it's futile to expedite a flight that has already departed?

Posted by
9695 posts

The big problem with this kind of transfer is that domestic flights are often late -- y0u have no margin here for a late incoming flight. Monitor that flight and if it shows a worrisome pattern try to get them to change your connection to one more doable. Also go on the cDG web site and look at instructions for what you need to do for the particular terminals you have. It helps to hit the ground running. It is enough time BUT it depends on things going smoothly.

Posted by
3237 posts

This perpetual question is one without an answer, at least not an answer that anyone here is really qualified to give. As long as this is a single PNR (and not a self-connection), Air France thinks you have time and Air France knows a lot more about connections at CDG than I do.

Posted by
17250 posts

Are there any more flights to Denver that day from CDG? That would have me worried since I fly from/to an end of the line airport.

Posted by
9695 posts

One question is 'does the airline take responsibility for delays caused by EES/immigration?' They sell these 'legal connections' so they should but does anyone know if they do or just say it isn't their problem if you can't get through immigration in time or you don't move fast enough to make this legal connection.

I remember reading about someone whose plane landed at say 2 pm but didn't not actually get a gate and disembark till 2:45 and the airline argued that with a 2 pm arrival it was their fault they missed the connection.

Posted by
3237 posts

I remember reading about someone whose plane landed at say 2 pm but didn't not actually get a gate and disembark till 2:45 and the airline argued that with a 2 pm arrival it was their fault they missed the connection.

Airline schedules are established and tracked block to block, not airborne to touchdown. Flights start when they depart the gate, not when they become airborne, and end when they return to a gate, not at touchdown. Schedules include taxi estimates, both for departure and arrival, plus average en route flight times.

The only potential nuance would be if the flight terminated at a remote parking site, requiring bus transfer to the terminal. The time consumed for deplaning and terminal transfer would not be part of the scheduled time.

Posted by
6 posts

My flight would be on one ticket - all the way from PAU to Denver with that one connection in Paris. My son, who flies a lot for the military, told me that CDG is a huge airport and that he would allow 3 hours for a connection, even if it's on the same ticket. Then when I saw there is such a thing as a concierge transfer service (never used one of those before!) I thought I would investigate it. I will also be flying solo, so I will be navigating CDG by myself. I always appreciate hearing about others experiences - thank you for all of the replies!